Cleared for Takeoff - The Triporati Blog » Pubshttps://www.triporati.com/blog
Sharing stories about the world and travelWed, 23 Nov 2016 16:10:46 +0000http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6enThaw Out in Cozy New York Hauntshttps://www.triporati.com/blog/2015/03/01/thaw-out-in-cozy-new-york-haunts/
https://www.triporati.com/blog/2015/03/01/thaw-out-in-cozy-new-york-haunts/#commentsSun, 01 Mar 2015 19:58:19 +0000Darya Meadhttp://www.triporati.com/blog/?p=4963I packed silk long underwear, my warmest pants, boots, socks and other sundry cold weather gear for a last minute trip to NYC. It’s been years since I have visited my home town in February, and this year I was told the relentlessly arctic weather was unprecedented. Multiple images of the frozen Hudson River and moaning on Facebook made me truly ponder what to bring and how I was to survive the deep freeze.

Once there, I was pleasantly surprised that my California outdoor gear was fine, better than fine, I actually enjoyed the blistering cold. I gave up on the outdoor ice skating idea, but one day my sister and her kids and I went sledding in Central Park. For some reason sledding other places is never as fun, and after an hour or so on the slope behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I artfully entered the museum to thaw out, grab a cup of coffee and take in some art—a wonderful New York combo of winters sports and culture.

It was cold. It was a good day if the temperature hit 20 degrees Fahrenheit while I was there. I was lucky to be introduced to multiple cozy spots to warm up and enjoy the inside world of winter in the Big Apple.

My first day, I took a walk with my mom in the West Village to the Hudson River and we stopped for lunch at The Spotted Pig, a pub-like eatery in a quaint old building on West 11th Street. In the back, overlooking a snow-filled garden, we devoured a scrumptious smoked haddock and pancetta creamed soup, broccoli rabe and beer. This place was bustling midday, and we met a doll-maker from Canada who was in town for a toy convention. We talked, she always pops into the Spotted Pig when in town, specifically for the smoked haddock soup. She mentioned that the shoestring fries were to die for too and that she loved my name, saying she might name a new doll after me!

Despite my quest to find new go-to places, I did have to swing by Rocco’s pastry shop on Bleeker Street at least once, to pick up some Italian cookies and have a fabulous cappuccino. So many of my favorite places have closed as the Disneyfication of Manhattan takes root. So, I was charmed to discover these new places to explore.

My mom, an inveterate Villager, had a few of her favorite new haunts to share. One day we met friends for coffee and scones at the Marlton Hotel on 8th street—the site of a long defunct SRO where I used to visit Washington Square Park buskers in the ’70s and ’80s. This completely redone hotel has a fireplace and ample seating for both hotel guests and outsiders. Another cold day, following a trip to the New Museum on the Bowery, we sauntered into the Bowery Hotel for a Bloody Mary to warm us up. Again, a cozy fire, plush seats and packed to the gills with people thawing out. I used to walk this street on my way to CBGB’s, keys between my knuckles to protect against any assault. Today, models mingle with one percenters and funky New Yorkers enjoying the attractive and welcoming lobby and cafe/bar area.

A few other warming huts I enjoyed were in Brooklyn, where my sister and her family call home. Following a yoga class in Williamsburg’s Go Yoga, a tasty Moroccan lunch with full silver service mint tea at Cafe Mogador was a welcome respite. I was also treated to a Bushwick Valentines Day Benefit Party at a raw chocolate factory and a quick tour of the bustling pizza joint around the corner that is definitely a hotspot on cold nights. Roberta’s is a known draw in the area, and folks come from far and wide for the ambiance, cachet and presumably the pie.

Finally, a trip to the Upper West Side and a pilgrimage of sorts to Zabar’s. Tastes of my youth, reassuringly the same quality, affordability and look and still so much to choose from. I decided taking smoked fish home on a plane wasn’t such a good idea, so I opted for chocolate, coffee, shirts, hats, mugs and pictures. I visited with an old friend who happens to have the last name Zabar, and when I gleefully mentioned to her dad that I had bought stuff from his store to take back to San Francisco, he futzed with his Larry David-esque baseball cap and said in an oh so memorable tone, “We ship you know.”

]]>https://www.triporati.com/blog/2015/03/01/thaw-out-in-cozy-new-york-haunts/feed/Share a Suspended Coffeehttps://www.triporati.com/blog/2014/12/31/share-a-suspended-coffee/
https://www.triporati.com/blog/2014/12/31/share-a-suspended-coffee/#commentsWed, 31 Dec 2014 21:53:25 +0000Darya Meadhttp://www.triporati.com/blog/?p=4932The sharing economy seems to be changing how we manage fundamental parts of our lives. Companies like Uber, Airbnb and Zipcar are dramatically altering transportation, travel and our relationship to these services. It is not without controversy though, and it remains to be seen how we reconcile some of these very necessary services with other important factors such as insurance, safety, liveable wages and unionization, not to mention the housing cost crisis in many popular destinations here in the U.S. and abroad.

As 2014 comes to a close, and the U.S. economy strengthens, more and more “sharing” seems to be happening. Even in my little sleepy San Francisco neighborhood these free street libraries are popping up and the robust trading of garden harvests is bringing people together and making use of food that might just rot on the vine otherwise.

A recent article in the New York Times typified the small gestures of sharing that can make an impact on people’s lives. In Naples, and across Italy, the idea of paying something forward, albeit as minimal as a coffee, is being revived and taking root. A simple anonymous gesture, paying for an extra cup of coffee for a future needy patron or simply as an act of kindness has a lovely aroma to it.

Coffee, long a religious part of daily life in many countries, is of course now almost as important to U.S. java lovers. I know I love a special cappuccino, latte or fresh roasted and brewed cup when I’m out and about, but have curbed my habit a bit in recent years while pinching my pennies. I’m not going to pay for my kids’ college education on saved lattes but you get my point.

The “suspended coffee” or caffè sospeso is a Neapolitan tradition that boomed during the Second World War and has had a renaissance in recent years in reaction to tough economic times.

Drinking coffee in Naples, other parts of Italy and many places in Europe is both a ritual and often done in community. Cafes are the hub of social and cultural life and an espresso among friends is never considered a luxury or treat, just part of life’s daily rhythm.

Wouldn’t you be charmed to walk into an Italian cafe and be offered a free coffee, paid for by a local patron? Better yet, how about as a traveler doing this for the locals? A small act of kindness that could make someone’s day.

A network of bars and cafes across Italy now display the suspended coffee sign and the act of goodwill based on the Italian tradition is spreading across the world, from the UK to India to places in the U.S. The robust social media presence is spreading the word and the warmth that a great cup of joe can bring to a weary traveler or hard working local.

]]>https://www.triporati.com/blog/2014/12/31/share-a-suspended-coffee/feed/Los Gatos, California: The Cat’s Meow!https://www.triporati.com/blog/2012/06/21/los-gatos-california-the-cats-meow/
https://www.triporati.com/blog/2012/06/21/los-gatos-california-the-cats-meow/#commentsThu, 21 Jun 2012 17:55:26 +0000Darya Meadhttp://www.triporati.com/blog/?p=4121Beyond the sleek Silicon Valley exterior, there are many small towns with plenty to explore in this California region famous for technology.

If you’re looking for a getaway, outdoor fun, sun, and maybe some wine tasting, the small town of Los Gatos is a great choice. Set in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this affluent hamlet, with a Victorian downtown, is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of urban living. As you drive into town, you pass Netflix headquarters, and you realize, this is perhaps where the 1% live, a notion that was confirmed at the stylish Purple Onion Café, where at 10 a.m., the place was hopping with expensively clad moms chatting and nibbling, post workout. The Illy coffee and yummy breakfast items made with cage-free eggs, local produce, and freshly baked whole-grain breads were tantalizing.

For lunch, a traditional Irish pub with Americanized pub grub, was a more down home option. C.B. Hannegan’s was bustling with business folks and families; the outdoor garden was so pleasant and portions big enough to share. The beer choices were impressive and International, with 15 on draught.

Another must dine spot, great if you’re on your way to Santa Cruz, is The Cats Restaurant and Tavern, just off highway 17. Originally a pit stop on the old stage line, the Cats Roadhouse was once a welcome spot for horse-drawn lumber wagons on their way to San Jose, as well as a rowdy social club for locals. In the Roaring 20s, the Cats was one of the area’s most notorious speakeasies and bordellos! Renovated and reopened in 2008, the menu still features BBQ favorites and is certainly a crowd pleaser after a day at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk or hiking the mountains!

Finally, if you want to splurge, a stay at the Mediterranean boutique hotel and spa, Hotel Los Gatos, is quite a treat. The pool is small but with mosaic tiles and an ample hot tub, a perfect spot early morning, midday or at night for a dip and soak. The hotel has a Moorish feel mixed with California Mission, and the rooms were luxurious but in a cozy way.

Mediterranean food is one of my favorite cuisines, and I have to say since I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area nearly 20 years ago I have been on a constant hunt for Greek Cuisine from high-end to gyros. Dio Deka, fine Hellenic cuisine, really lived up to its Michelin Star hype. The food, ambiance, presentation and service were really top notch, from the marinated kalamata olives in chili and rosemary to the spanikopita, pork ribs and these delectable crispy potatoes with smoked roe.

The wine list was overwhelming, but we chose a crisp New Zealand white and sat out, talking and savoring the special tastes, as if we were on the island of Santorini or an Athens plaza. I took a close friend to celebrate a recent triumph, but I could imagine taking my two boys there, all rumpled in their “fancy” clothes, perhaps for a special occasion. Luckily there are plenty of tapas-like options I think many older kids would appreciate, if your budget allows.

All in all, if you’re looking for a staycation in the Bay Area, a romantic getaway, a taste of “Peninsula living” or an overnight splurge, the combination of great food and wine, ample hiking and biking spots and wineries galore, make a trip to Los Gatos, the Cat’s Meow!

]]>https://www.triporati.com/blog/2012/06/21/los-gatos-california-the-cats-meow/feed/Williamsburg 2.0https://www.triporati.com/blog/2010/04/19/williamsburg-20/
https://www.triporati.com/blog/2010/04/19/williamsburg-20/#commentsMon, 19 Apr 2010 17:45:42 +0000http://www.triporati.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/williamsburg_at_night_by_adam_wiseman-custom.jpgWilliamsburg 2.0https://www.triporati.com/blog/2010/04/19/williamsburg-20/
Darya Meadhttp://www.triporati.com/blog/?p=2601Williamsburg, Brooklyn never had pretensions to compare itself with its famous namesake city in Virginia, but local residents are putting a quirky twist on the idea. Perhaps it’s the recession, maybe just a pendulum swing away from commercialism, whatever it is you can count on this neighborhood to be ahead of the curve when it comes to trends.

My sister moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn from Manhattan more than 15 years ago. She shared a cute 1BR apartment and paid a fraction of Manhattan rental rates. Ownership of a yoga studio, a marriage, and two kids later, she still lives in Williamsburg, but now in a loft overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge. The area has changed, from a bustling Eastern European immigrant crowd, to hipsters and artists… to hipsters and artists with kids.

I left New York before Williamsburg became one of the cool hotspots, and every time I return I marvel at the reinvention of the neighborhood.

A couple stops on the G train from Manhattan, Williamsburg was first an artist magnet in the 1970s. Drawn by the relatively low rents, large studio spaces and convenient transportation, many moved to the area. This continued through the 1980s and increased dramatically in the 1990s, as other cool artist havens such as SoHo and the East Village became gentrified. Now, times are tough and trustafarian artists are having to make ends meet in different ways.

Today, Williamsburg is fast becoming the New Williamsburg, as a recent New York Times Style Magazine article boasts. Yes, I’m referring to the 18th century, Colonial Williamsburg. Apparently, folks are harking back to old times and resurrecting forgotten trades such as pickling vegetables, butchering their own pigs, beekeeping, glassblowing and perfume making.

There are still the funky shops, cool bars and gourmet eateries. Bars with great names, such as the Alligator Lounge, Bodega, Cornichon or The Gutter (the first bowling alley to open in Brooklyn in 50 years) dot the cityscape.

One of our favorite spots is a Thai place named Sea, where you can get litchi martinis and let the kids enjoy the coveted giant swings. One hot summer day I took my son to a swanky old restaurant bar and bought him an egg cream. I had gone on and on about how special the beverage was to me and to Brooklyn lore; he hated it. A classic parental faux pas, butI still remember the cozy ambiance and distinctive hispter Brooklyn vibe in the renovated old joint.

Galleries, music venues and small designer stores still draw tourists and locals alike, as does the stellar view of Manhattan. The best comparison to Williamsburg, Virginia, however, is perhaps in the facial hair. If you squint and Photoshop out the saggy pants and iphones, the mutton chops, fanciful mustaches, goatees and sideburns of the locals scream blacksmith from the 1780s!

]]>https://www.triporati.com/blog/2010/04/19/williamsburg-20/feed/Tennessee Valleyhttps://www.triporati.com/blog/2009/05/03/tennessee-valley/
https://www.triporati.com/blog/2009/05/03/tennessee-valley/#commentsSun, 03 May 2009 22:07:37 +0000Darya Meadhttp://www.triporati.com/blog/?p=1998There is always a dilemma, do you spread the word about a great place or keep quiet so others don’t intrude. Well it’s too late for Marin County’sTennessee Valley. Any given weekend will find hordes of joggers, hikers, seniors, horseback riders and families hiking the trails of this Bay Area gem.

Nestled in Tam Valley, a part of Mill Valley, this spot is easily accessible by San Franciscans and Marinites alike. Over the years we have taken hard core hikes with friends, leisurely walks with visitors from out of town and quickie visits to get fresh air and bask in the beautiful scenery. If I were a visitor from abroad or out of town, this would be a great day trip to get a flavor of the tremendous wealth of the Bay Area hiking scene. I was there twice in April. Once with my two boys for a free, annual Easter egg hunt at the Horse Stables adjacent to the trail, and once with my close friend as a birthday treat. We took a 4 mile hike to the Pelican Inn, on the Coastal Trail, and had a scrumptious lunch at the pub and then a less strenuous 3 mile hike back; all in all a perfect day.

Years ago we used to meet friends at the Dipsea Café, right where the road to Tennessee Valley turns off Shoreline Highway. We would eat a big breakfast and then hike; always a good option after the trail too! Depending on the season the flora and fauna are stupendous…deer, lizards, the occasional mountain lion, all sorts of birds, butterflies and wildflowers that never fail to please.

With the slower lot, kids, grandparents, non-hikers, the flat-ish route to the beach is perfect. You can picnic on the beach and still feel like you got a good walk in. My 71-year-old mom, who does a lot of city walking in New York, felt it was a tad strenuous, but once completed she raved! There are plenty of the more rigorous routes along the coast and towards the Headlands. If you forget to pack a picnic there is often a farm produce stand open just as you turn onto the road. The parking lot can be crowded!

]]>https://www.triporati.com/blog/2009/05/03/tennessee-valley/feed/Restaurants Extend Hours in Lean Timeshttps://www.triporati.com/blog/2008/10/27/restaurants-extend-hours-in-lean-times/
https://www.triporati.com/blog/2008/10/27/restaurants-extend-hours-in-lean-times/#commentsTue, 28 Oct 2008 01:24:30 +0000Darya Meadhttp://www.triporati.com/blog/?p=1035Last week I wrote a post about the sad reality of British Pub closures. Well now some good news for diners and drinkers this side of the pond. It seems the recession has created a new trend in restaurant and café schedules. Many owners, in order to make ends meet, are expanding, yes, expanding their hours and menus. A recent article in the New York Times entitled: “As Checks Shrink, Restaurants Stretch Hours” describes how in New York City, many watering holes are now open for breakfast or even the traditional dead zone between lunch and dinner.

Feeding and hydrating the growing legions of unemployed and frugal foodies has not only altered the hours of business but transformed restaurants’ repertoires. Some high end places are expanding meal service and creating cheaper menus to attract cost conscious diners. With more time on our hands, we may want to take a break from the economic woes of our time, turn off the tube, unplug and get out and partake of some frugal breakfasts or pre Happy Hour libations. Certainly for visitors to the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps, making it even easier to find what you crave whenever you crave it is good news.

Have you noticed this trend in your neck of the woods?

]]>https://www.triporati.com/blog/2008/10/27/restaurants-extend-hours-in-lean-times/feed/British Pubs Closinghttps://www.triporati.com/blog/2008/10/21/british-pubs-closing/
https://www.triporati.com/blog/2008/10/21/british-pubs-closing/#commentsTue, 21 Oct 2008 06:37:38 +0000http://www.triporati.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/country_pub_by_ugardener-custom.jpgBritish Pubs Closinghttps://www.triporati.com/blog/2008/10/21/british-pubs-closing/
Darya Meadhttp://www.triporati.com/blog/?p=943When I lived in London during the downtrodden Thatcher era, the local pub was a sanctuary, a respite from the cold, foggy, dismal daily life, a life I now look back at fondly. I’m not much of a beer drinker, I much prefer wine, but who wouldn’t love the cozy warmth, the expected smoky haze and the watering hole atmosphere? Sure, it was more of a guys’ scene, I remember the blokes I lived with counting their pints, squeezing in a fifth one before last call, as I nursed my shandy: a disgusting combo of beer and “lemonade” (British 7-Up). They used to stagger home, while I fretted about who would make it without face-planting into a neighbor’s yard. OK, so the scene did get old after the novelty wore off, but I never tired of the yummy pub-grub and the feeling of camaraderie.

There is nothing better than a sunny summer day, sitting out in a British Pub Garden and enjoying the scenery, conversation and vittles. I still love a Ploughman’s lunch and have been known to swipe sips of my husband’s Guinness when he’s not looking. So, it was with great sadness that I read “HoistOne Last Glass- Can Britain still be Britain without its pubs? “ The article in this week’s Newsweek Magazine tells the sorry tale of how the cost of doing business, the economy, modern culture and globalization, among other culprits, have been a death sentence for the Public Houses in Britain.

Apparently five close a day, and gone are the family-owned town pubs one used to find in every hamlet. Sure, “gastro-pubs” with fancy menus are popping up, but the traditional center of the community, the meeting place and scene of many peak life experiences for the locals and visitors alike, is losing its luster and centralness so vital to the British culture. Pints are pushing the equivalent of six-dollars and folks would just rather play a video game and order in a pizza. Even the move to go smokeless is seen as contributing to the decline of the Public House. For travelers to the British Isles this is also a tragedy, on a par with doing away with the double-decker buses or high tea.

Prince Charles even has a campaign called Pub is the Hub, an attempt to save the local pub scene by helping rural pubs diversify their businesses. Some establishments offer post office services or grocery stores and other amenities to supplement their income. Let’s hope the tide changes and the venerable family-owned establishments enjoy a renaissance. In these tough economic times we all need a local bar, tavern or pub to commiserate, drown our sorrows and gain strength from our common cultural roots.